Improving Internet access
Monday, 25 January 2010
For a country which has the eighth biggest population in the world, Bangladesh would seem to be ideal for rapid growth of the use of information communication technologies (ICTs), specially the Internet. Even Bill Clinton, the former US President, pointed out on occasions how the Internet could play a big role in the days ahead in transforming conditions for the better in Bangladesh and its people. The present government is also committed to make a 'digital Bangladesh' with particular stress given on ICTs. But the realities as these stand now, are rather unimpressive in this field.
The Internet came late to Bangladesh with somewhat proper connectivity in 1996. In the last few years it has grown, although obviously from a very low base. With an estimated user base of around 500,000 in early 2006, representing only a 0.35% penetration in the population, the local Internet industry is preparing to move into the next stage of its development. The user base may have substantially improved in the last couple of years but it is still to reach even 1 per cent of the population or it could be a little higher suggesting the immense potential of further increase in the use of the Internet.
It is unfortunate that the past governments seem to have lacked the political will to introduce early the online Internet access for fear of political and cultural openness. The growth of digital civilisation was hindered by imposing high taxes on computers and computer-related accessories. The civil bureaucracy, on its part, did not play a timely role to create a pro-computer environment in Bangladesh. Nor did it support rapid computerisation of the government administration.
For Bangladesh, the priority should be to facilitate Internet access to academic institutions and to the intellectual communities. Also, private users should be more encouraged to create their own access to online Internet. Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but not all. The main issue is to use the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits. But there are many barriers to the increase in the use of the computer and the Internet. Service charges by the providers are still not low enough to create greater incentives for users. Government policies are not yet fully conducive to rapid increase in Internet use as the telecommunication system, along with supporting infrastructures, remains undeveloped. Last but not the least, the potential clients are handicapped by their low purchasing power. All of these problems will have to be addressed to make Internet use popular and widespread.
Rapid privatisation of the telecommunication sector may remarkably enhance the speed of renovations through open-market competition. Unless more competitors, more investments, and more innovations are encouraged in the field, only government effort will not bring proportionate value for money in this sector. The purchasing power of potential clients will not immediately increase, but the government may introduce attractive consumer loan policies and may reduce sufficiently taxes on computers and accessories to enable people to have their own computers to attain the dream of a 'digital Bangladesh'.
The Internet came late to Bangladesh with somewhat proper connectivity in 1996. In the last few years it has grown, although obviously from a very low base. With an estimated user base of around 500,000 in early 2006, representing only a 0.35% penetration in the population, the local Internet industry is preparing to move into the next stage of its development. The user base may have substantially improved in the last couple of years but it is still to reach even 1 per cent of the population or it could be a little higher suggesting the immense potential of further increase in the use of the Internet.
It is unfortunate that the past governments seem to have lacked the political will to introduce early the online Internet access for fear of political and cultural openness. The growth of digital civilisation was hindered by imposing high taxes on computers and computer-related accessories. The civil bureaucracy, on its part, did not play a timely role to create a pro-computer environment in Bangladesh. Nor did it support rapid computerisation of the government administration.
For Bangladesh, the priority should be to facilitate Internet access to academic institutions and to the intellectual communities. Also, private users should be more encouraged to create their own access to online Internet. Having an Internet account is the primary thing, but not all. The main issue is to use the Internet for productive purposes and for real benefits. But there are many barriers to the increase in the use of the computer and the Internet. Service charges by the providers are still not low enough to create greater incentives for users. Government policies are not yet fully conducive to rapid increase in Internet use as the telecommunication system, along with supporting infrastructures, remains undeveloped. Last but not the least, the potential clients are handicapped by their low purchasing power. All of these problems will have to be addressed to make Internet use popular and widespread.
Rapid privatisation of the telecommunication sector may remarkably enhance the speed of renovations through open-market competition. Unless more competitors, more investments, and more innovations are encouraged in the field, only government effort will not bring proportionate value for money in this sector. The purchasing power of potential clients will not immediately increase, but the government may introduce attractive consumer loan policies and may reduce sufficiently taxes on computers and accessories to enable people to have their own computers to attain the dream of a 'digital Bangladesh'.